Issue - meetings

Planning Reference – 251075

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Planning Officer:  Samuel Smith

Application refused for the following reasons:-

It was considered that the proposed change of use of the property to short term let accommodation would likely result in significant detrimental impacts upon the amenity of the immediate neighbouring residential properties within the application building beyond what could typically be expected if it were to be used as mainstream residential accommodation through noise disturbance, the frequency of changes in occupants, and the impact on security, real or perceived, within the communal areas of the building. The proposed change of use was thus considered to be contrary to Policy 30 (Tourism), paragraph (e) part (i) and (ii) of National Planning Framework 4 , and Policy H1 (Residential Areas) and Policy WB3 (Noise) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2023 (ALDP) .

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, which recommended:-

That the application for Detailed Planning Permission for the change of use of flat to short-term let accommodation with maximum occupancy of 2 people, at 18D Holburn Road Aberdeen, be approved subject to the following conditions:-

Conditions

(1)  DURATION OF PERMISSION

The development to which this notice relates must be begun not later than the expiration of 3 years beginning with the date of this notice. If development has not begun at the expiration of the 3-year period, the planning permission lapses.

Reason - in accordance with section 58 (duration of planning permission) of the 1997 act.

(2)  TIME LIMIT FOR SHORT-TERM LET USE

The hereby approved use of the property as Short-Term Let accommodation shall expire 5 years following the date of the grant of permission as stated on this notice, unless a further planning permission has been granted for continued use of the property as Short-Term Let accommodation in the meantime. Should no further planning permission be granted then the property shall revert to mainstream residential use as a flat after the aforementioned 5-year period.

Reason: In order to allow the local housing need and demand situation and the local economic benefits derived from the use of the property as a Short Term Let to be reassessed in 5 years’ time, to ensure that the loss of the property as residential accommodation would remain compliant with Policy 30 of NPF4.

The Committee heard from Mr Samuel Smith, Planner, who spoke in furtherance of the application and answered various questions from Members.

The Committee then heard from Mr Callum Duff, who objected to the proposed application. 

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

That the application be approved conditionally in line with the recommendation.

Councillor Boulton moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Copland:-

          That the application be refused for the following reasons:-

It was considered that the proposed change of use of the property to short term let accommodation would likely result in significant detrimental impacts upon the amenity of the immediate neighbouring residential properties within the application building beyond what could typically be expected if it were to be used as mainstream residential accommodation through noise disturbance, the frequency of changes in occupants, and the impact on security, real or perceived, within the communal areas of the building. The proposed change of use was thus considered to be contrary to Policy 30 (Tourism), paragraph (e) part (i) and (ii) of National Planning Framework 4 , and Policy H1 (Residential Areas) and Policy WB3 (Noise) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2023 (ALDP) .

On a division, there voted – for the motion (4) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Blake and Macdonald – for the amendment (5) – Councillors Alphonse, Boulton, Copland, Clark and Farquhar.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the amendment, therefore refuse the application.